Several issues related to detention and demurrage remain to be addressed as the Federal Maritime Commission moves forward with its recent proposed rule on detention and demurrage practices, said Richard Roche of Mohawk Global Logistics, at the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America’s government affairs conference Sept. 23 in Washington. Key among these are notices of availability for cargo and charges for customs holds, he said.
The following lawsuits were filed at the Court of International Trade during the week of Sept. 16-22:
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is moving into the latter stages of an effort to streamline ACE messaging to CBP and entry filers, said John Blachere, trade specialist at CPSC’s Office of Import Surveillance, at the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America government affairs conference on Sept. 23.
Mexican tomato growers on Sept. 19 signed off on a final agreement to again suspend antidumping duties on Mexican tomatoes, they said in a press release. The deal still includes controversial provisions on mandatory inspections for most imports of Mexican tomatoes, but the growers say they were able to obtain concessions that should soften the impact of the controversial requirements.
Hyundai has agreed to pay a $47 million penalty to settle charges it imported and sold heavy construction vehicles with diesel engines that violated the Clean Air Act, the Justice Department announced in a Sept. 19 press release. DOJ said Hyundai stockpiled engines that did not comply with emissions standards, and violated the terms of a transition program meant to help manufacturers comply with new emissions requirements.
The following lawsuits were filed at the Court of International Trade during the week of Sept. 9-15:
Cheese importers should still apply for 2020 licenses for importing cheese from the United Kingdom as if the U.K. is still part of the European Union despite the country’s preparations for Brexit, Foreign Agricultural Service officials said, according to a Cheese Importers Association of America update. The U.K. is still considered part of the EU for tariff schedule purposes, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative would need to issue regulations for the U.K. to receive separate treatment under the tariff system, FAS officials told CIAA. That process could take several years to complete, though it would be quicker if the U.S. signs a free trade agreement with the U.K, the officials said.
Mandatory inspection requirements in a proposed agreement to avoid antidumping duties on Mexican tomatoes could prompt “significant bottlenecks” at ports of entry and “contribute to sustained border congestion,” the American Trucking Associations said in comments on the agreement it recently submitted to the Commerce Department via the agency's ACCESS database (login required, docket A-201-820). Those increased delays at the southern border “would have devastating consequences for all our members engaged in cross-border business, not just those hauling tomatoes,” the trade group said.
The following lawsuits were filed at the Court of International Trade during the week of Sept. 2-8:
A recent petition filed with the Federal Trade Commission asks the agency to issue regulations that would allow it to hit first-time violators of Made in USA requirements with monetary penalties. TruthinAdvertising.org says the lack of any regulations on Made in USA claims means unscrupulous companies are able to falsely advertise with impunity, harming consumers and other companies that are honest about their products’ origins.